THEY are paid to protect us, but on a daily basis the police officers from Flintshire and Wrexham go above and beyond the call of duty.

Last week, North Wales Police Eastern Division's top brass assembled at St David's Park Hotel, Ewloe, to praise and reward officers who had excelled in their duty.

Also those who have devoted themselves and their lives to their work received commendations from their senior officers.

Chief Supt Phill Thomson, Eastern Division Commander, said: 'In the citations there is a good cross-section of what the police service is about and I take my hat off to these people.

'Policing is difficult. These officers only represent what all my officers do 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in providing a policing service to Wrexham and Flintshire.

'Tonight I have had the opportunity of commending a few, but all my officers deserve my praise for the way they conduct themselves.

'They are a force for the people of Flintshire and Wrexham to be proud of.'

Among the success stories on the night was a Long Service award for PC Dave Hughes. He joined the force in April, 1981, and was initially posted in Holywell.

After stints working in the Colwyn area, Mold and Wrexham, PC Hughes is now monitoring officer for the Eastern Public Protection office.

Among his achievements he was the first Eastern traffic officer to be selected and trained at Cheshire Police Training School in Crewe as a family liaison officer to assist families who had suffered a bereavement as a result of a road accident.

Malcolm King, chairman of North Wales Police Authority, said: 'I feel incredibly proud to be the chairman of the police authority associated with such fantastic people who really are the guardians of our community and who dedicate themselves everyday to protecting all of us.

'We should all feel very proud of the officers here tonight and particularly lucky that we live in the Eastern Division of North Wales which now has some of the very best police results in England and Wales.'

Detective Constable Meirion Davies was commended for his courage. While off duty on March 5 he was told by a member of the public that a man was trying to kill himself using a five-inch knife.

DC Davies went to investigate and recognised the man as a victim of a previous serious crime who was suffering mental health problems as a result.

After trying to calm him down without success, the detective decided the only course of action was to disarm the man before he caused himself serious injury. After a struggle, DC Davies got the knife off the man and detained him until other officers arrived.

Another noted for praise was Vincent Toms, commended by senior officers for the impact he has made to the Eastern Division since joining North Wales Police in June 2003 as Estates Officer.

His managers said he quickly established himself within the role, taking on additional responsibilities, learning skills in relation to health and safety, and building management within the police environment.

Prior to joining the force, Mr Toms had no knowledge of British legislation, having recently emigrated from South Africa.

Within a short period of time, he had responsibility for seized property, procedures and staff management, which, senior officers say, has led to a more structured, organised and professional service.

The full awards list:

Long Service - PC Dyfed Edwards, Sgt Bryan Griffiths, PC Dave Hughes, PC Phil Jones.

Dedication to duty - Wrexham's Operation Gravity Investigation team, Operation Homesafe team, Sgt Andy Massey, PC Stephen Evans, Detective Inspector Ray Smith, Eastern Special Constabulary assistant divisional officers, DC Bill McWade, DC Andy Jessop, PC Phil Jones, PC Sarah Robinson.

Bravery - DC Meirion Davies, PC Anna Jones, PC Dave Jones, PC Lee Parker, PC David Bates, PC Stuart Reeves.

Management - Vincent Toms, Jane Williams, Eastern Resources Unit.